County denies appeal for Penn Valley couple over cell tower

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Peter Lockyer and Juliet Erickson were not able to reach a compromise with the county over their opposition to a cellular tower construction.

At its Nov. 13 regular meeting, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors is expected to deny a second appeal by the Penn Valley couple.

On Oct. 23, the couple participated in a public hearing where they appealed two items — the construction of a cellular tower on a property adjacent to theirs and the denial of construction plans for an office/garage on their property.

The board of supervisors denied their appeal of the tower’s construction, paving the way for it to be built but attempted to compromise with the couple regarding the construction of their office/garage.

At the end of the public hearing, the supervisors made a motion of intent to deny the appeal, which was deferred 30 days to allow for a compromise to be reached.

On Oct. 29, Allan Haley, an attorney who represents the couple, notified the county that his clients were not interested in negotiating “any solutions so long as the proposed cell tower is planned for the adjacent (Nevada Irrigation District) property.”

In light of the letter, county staff is recommending denial of the appeal, disallowing the couple to construct their office and garage as currently planned, according to supporting documents.

The couple have repeatedly protested the county’s treatment of them throughout the case.

At the same meeting, supervisors will discuss a capital facilities master plan for county buildings, will present the current financial state of the county and are expected to adopt a comprehensive energy plan.